Creating an EZ removable substrate!!

[guanl23]

So i have this idea where you get plastic canvas sheets, cut them into pieces like tiles to lay on the bottom
of your tank, glue/silicone substrate of your choice (quikcrete all purpose sand in my case) to the plastic sheet,
put them in the tank and cover with a thin layer of substrate of your choice.

But I have a few bugs to work out:
▬what would be the best adhesive to use for this application? has to be safe to use with fish so i was
thinking GE Silicone I.
▬the plastic sheets are smooth to the finish and might require some sanding...
▬how well does sand/gravel adhere to silicone?

here are the items i'm gonna use:
Silicone: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...langId=-1&keyword=GE+Silicone+I&storeId=10051

Sand/Gravel: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25e...053&langId=-1&keyword=quikcrete&storeId=10051

Plastic Sheets: http://www.joann.com/darice-stiff-plastic-canvas-7-count-12-x18-clear/zprd_01971233a/


I'm doing this because i want a thin layer of substrate in my tank and i dont want to see the bottom of
my tank if i want added flow. I have a tank right now where you can see most of the edge and huge piles
in the center. Plus I want to use sand. I'm not seeing any drawbacks to this but would like input from
others. I think this would also prevent pockets in the substrate where bacteria can grow..... except for
under the "tiles".... darn it, a drawback. So comments & suggestions are welcomed and who knows, this
could be the next cool thing to do lol.

 

[Tiller11]

sounds like a good idea but the only thing would be if debris got caught underneath the canvas... it would just sit there n dirty the water. but if u can get it like flush with the bottom then it sounds like a good idea but if u just put a thin layer of loose substrate on top then you may not have the depth some people like. i know i like at least an inch to inch and a half depending on the black strip around the bottom. it has to be just a little higher then that for me anyways. keep thinking tho it will come

 

[guanl23]

Well the 2 tanks I'm setting up are acrylic so I won't have to worry about the trim. Yeah I'm going for that flush look, hopefully a thin layer (say 1/2") will keep debris from getting caught, along with weekly maintenance.